Description
Carrot Cake Cream Bars are a delightful dessert that combines the rich flavors of carrot cake with a creamy cream cheese layer, making them a heavenly treat to savor.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and creamy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Fold in the grated carrots and nuts.
- Spread about two-thirds of the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared pan.
- Make the cream layer: Beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the carrot cake batter.
- Drop spoonfuls of the remaining carrot cake batter over the cream layer and gently swirl with a knife.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
- Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars.
- Slice into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- For an extra carrot-cake finish, drizzle the cooled bars with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg